Our stories

You generous donation will help to get clothes, transportation, provide shelter and change lives of many more women like Laura coming out of abusive marriages and relationships.

TESTIMONIAL

This is a true testimonial of a woman, Laura (name is changed to protect the privacy), who came out of abusive relationships with the help of Faith Church of God:

After my abusive husband divorced me, I was moving from place to place, city to city, sometimes staying at hotels. I was so afraid that my ex-husband was watching me and he would show up at any minute. At nights, I constantly woke up when I heard some car engine noise and suspected that my ex-husband was coming to get me back. I was also getting flashbacks of him holding a gun on that horrible night. Then, I was still getting threatening phone calls and blackmailer from him. Legal intervention cannot stop him from chasing after me, either; I eventually quit my job and moved to another state. Despite of my college education, I was having trouble keeping a job due to lack of concentration caused by the post-trauma depression. I was also suffering memory loss caused by years of emotional and psychological damage, which made me feel like a middle-age woman although I was only in my early thirties. Doctor had to put me on medication to prevent me from going over the edge. At first, the medication seemed to be helping; I started to gain some appetite to eat. But, it only covered the root issues within me. It gave me a false impression that I was getting better. Then, I went into another abusive relationship, which was abusive in a different way. The weekly counseling at psychologist’s office did not change me, either. I cannot seem to get rid of my problems even after moving to a different state. Then, a friend of mine introduced me to Faith Church of God in Florida.

Bishop and Pastor Parkes began talking to me about the Gospel and praying with me. Initially, I was very skeptical about the healing power of scriptures because of my education background in science and technology. Just as the women in the Bible (Mark 5:25-34) went to many physicians but cannot be healed until she had an encounter with Jesus, I began to gain strength and focus under the biblical teaching of Bishop and Pastor Parkes. My initial skeptics went away. In a few months, I recognized that the relationship I was having was also abusive compared to Bishop and Pastor’s love and care. Then, I decided to leave my abusive relationship and stop depending on others to drive me to and from work, but learn to drive by myself. Meanwhile, I was getting more confident at work and my job performance improved so much that I received a raise. Today, I believe the Holy Spirit brought me out of the iron furnace and led me to Faith Church of God. With the help and guidance from the church, I later moved out of the hotel and took courage to purchase a home. Proverb 2:33 says, whoso hearkeneth unto me (the Word) shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Finally, I settled down after moving around for more than 3 years. God and Faith Church of God not only protected me but also restored my well-being. I no longer rely on the medication to feel stable but am taking a daily dose of God’s word to get an inward change for a new life.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” (Proverb 3:27-28)

• 1 in 3 women have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.

• 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon.• Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior.• Women who earn 65% or more of their households’ income are more likely to be psychologically abused than women who learn less than 65% of their households’ income.• Between 94-99% of domestic violence survivors have also experienced economic abuse.• Only 34% of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries.• Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8.0 million days of paid work each year.• The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds 5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.• Between 21-60% of victims of intimate partner violence lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse.• The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds 5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.• Between 21-60% of victims of intimate partner violence lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

• Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8.0 million days of paid work each year.

• The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds 5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.

• Between 21-60% of victims of intimate partner violence lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse.

A story of Emma, a resident of small town called Linstead in Jamaica.

a story of Emma, a resident of small town called Linstead in Jamaica.

Linstead, Jamaica

A 60 year old woman lost her home and all her belongings during a storm. Even though she lost almost everything but she didn’t lose hope and her faith in God. This is a story of Emma, a resident of small town called Linstead in Jamaica.

Emma’s belief in Jesus Christ and his teachings gave her the strength to bear the difficulties of time and put herself together and move on in life. Life was very hard on her as she didn’t have any place to stay and nothing to eat. With God’s miracle, she met with a volunteer of the Faith Church of God. After listening her story and visiting her demolished house, the church helped her by rebuilding her house. The hurricane had almost completely destroyed her house. The church re-builds her house and helped her get on her feet.

There are many other poor people like Emma around the world in need of desperate help. They are in poor condition and in immediate need of help not because of their wrongdoing. Faith Church of God helps these poor people, and in doing so, asks for your assistance. With your help, we can make a difference and bring a change in these poor people’s lives.